Tag: flood

The problem with many Bible stories that we share with children on Sundays is that they’re not really for children.

I mean, the ones we share on Sundays are for children…but the ones found in Scripture aren’t. These are stories for adults. And if you made a movie out of them, they’d probably be rated R.

Take, for example, Noah and the flood. We like to share it with children because it has animals in it. And animals are cute. And kids like boats. But you know what really happened?

God killed the entire human race.

We also like to share the story of Moses, and the parting of the Red Sea. Pretty cool thinking about Pharaoh charging after Moses and the Israelites, Moses stretching his staff out, the waters parting, and the Israelites walking across on dry ground. Until we realize that thousands upon thousands of Egyptians died that day in the Red Sea. “Ok, kids…color that picture!”

Speaking of Moses, it sounds like a good idea to make a movie (or two or three) about the events leading up to the 10 commandments, right? Pretty cool to see the magicians trying to perform the plagues that Moses uses his staff to accomplish. Cute, no? Try ending your bedtime story with your children with, “And then all of the firstborn children died…” “Goodnight, my firstborn son…sleep tight!”

And it’s not that we shouldn’t tell our children the stories of the Bible. It’s just that we often rip out the parts that make the story what it is. I’m not all for sharing the gory details of these stories with my 2 year old. But the problem comes in when we as adults forget that there’s more to these stories.

Instead of engaging and true stories, we can easily equate them with the realm of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Great, well-told stories, but ultimately no more than a fantasy novel for children. And if we use that logic with Noah and Moses, what’s to stop us from using the same logic with the rest of Scripture? The adventures of Paul and the early church seem pretty far-fetched…speaking in tongues, healing people, the church growing by thousands when Peter and John would preach. The resurrection of Jesus? Fairy tale stuff. Jesus coming back to Earth to claim His Church? Nah…

I’m not against telling children the stories of the Bible. But I am against crafting a god that is safe, tame, half-hearted, and weak.

Let’s not let The Children’s Bible lull us, as adults, into sleep, thinking the Bible is full of fairy tales for children. The Bible is an intellectually robust, compelling story of God’s relentless pursuit of you.

If you’ve been affected by the flood in Clarksville, Grace would like to help. Just go to this site HERE and let us know what we can do.

It’s often in the midst of tragedy that God works most powerfully in a person’s life.

Life can clip along just fine for years and years. That normal, frenetic pace of life lulls us to spiritual sleep. Into a coma of sorts that makes us feel like we’re in control, that we don’t need others, and that we certainly don’t need God. Because, when you have a successful career, a nice home, a nice family, and are fulfilling the “American dream,” what else could you ask for?

But it’s suffering that helps remind us that we have very little control of our lives. No matter what you do, you can’t safeguard your life against disaster. Try as you may, suffering will find you. And you can continue to try to put up fences, sandbags, walls, and defenses against disaster…but no part of life is outside the reach of Tragedy.

The point of suffering is many-fold, and I don’t presume to know exactly what God’s up to when He allows certain things. But one thing is certain (in addition to the fact that Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy” – John 10:10). “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) It’s when we recognize our position in relationship with God that we find true security. Feelings of safety and ease are just that…feelings. When “life” happens, we find that the only safe place to rest is clinging tight to the One who holds life in His hands.

May we show Christ to be our all surpassing Treasure, and not the stuff of earth that is quickly fleeting.

And may we, out of that relationship, offer hope and help to a world left stunned and confused when life falls apart.

In Genesis 6, God “was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Genesis 6:6). So He “determined to make an end of all flesh.” All flesh! Gone. Washed away (pun intended). Except for Noah and his family.

So, God was going to destroy everything and start all over…but decided to let Noah “ride it out.” (pun intended again…sorry, I’ll stop now) Of all the people on the earth, all the animals, all plants…every living thing, God chose Noah to live. What was so special about Noah? “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:8-9)

But that’s not the only thing I’m thankful for when it comes to Noah. Read this little doozie:

“Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.” Then it goes on to say that Noah’s youngest son, Ham (who has an awesome name, by the way), stumbled upon his naked, drunk father, and instead of honoring him by covering him up, Ham made a spectacle of the whole ordeal, going outside and making fun of his dad to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth. (see Genesis 9:20-24) Way to go, Ham. Way to go, Noah.

So Noah didn’t hold his alcohol all that well. And Ham didn’t hold his tongue all that well.

Welcome to life after the flood.

But even though Noah had this indiscretion (to put it mildly), God chose to use him. Why? Because…

God uses imperfect, messed up people.

God uses messy families.

God uses people who make stupid decisions.

God uses people who have brought shame on themselves and their family.

God uses people who have returned to the same sins they struggled with in the past.

God uses people who aren’t perfect parents.

If God can use you and me, even though we’re messed up, just like He used Noah.

How have you let your past failures determine what you think God can use you to do in the future?

How has the fear of future failure paralyzed you from doing what God is calling you to do right now?